Science 3-5

What Is Static Electricity?

During this investigation, you will use a balloon and some other common objects to explore and observe what static electricity is and how it behaves. Choose a number of small items to test and then rub a balloon with a piece of wool to prepare it for your investigation. Write your "testable question" at the top of your page and make some predictions about the materials you selected: What do you think will happen when they come in contact with the balloon? Will they stick (be attracted to) or do something else (be repelled)? Make sure to record your predictions before starting your observations.

To begin your investigation, rub a balloon with a piece of wool. Now, conduct your tests observing the materials you selected to see which ones stick to the balloon. As you test the materials, think about why this is happening. What is causing the objects to stick or not stick to your balloon? Record your results on your sheets and try to make some conclusions based on what you observed.

Grade Level

3 - 5

Big Ideas and Unifying Concepts

Cause and Effect

Physical Science Concepts

Transfer and Transformation of Energy
Motion and Forces

Mathematics Concepts

Data Collection, Organization and AnalysisDiagramsMeasurement

Time Required for Task

Approximately two 45-minute sessions

Context

This is one of several investigations with which I begin a unit on electricity. We first look atstatic electricity, something students know a little about from prior knowledge and experience(they know they get a shock when walking on carpet and then touching something or thatclothes out of the dryer stick to each other) but are not sure exactly what is happening orwhy. This is a good introductory, guided investigation that focuses students on the ideathat the balloon “attracts” the objects and that the wool rubbed on the balloon gives it thisattraction. This information will help them through later investigations on current electricity and magnetism. It also provides the opportunity for students to practice writing hypothesesor testable questions, making predictions, recording data/observations, conducting tests anddrawing conclusions.

What the Task Accomplishes

This investigation will help students begin to have some ideas about what static electricityis and how it behaves. They will practice making predictions based on what they alreadyknow and then test to see if their predictions were correct. They will have the opportunityto communicate and compare with others what their conclusions are, and this will allowthe teacher to assess their understanding of the concept of static electricity as well as theirscience process skills. It is also possible that students will extend their thinking to makeobservations about the characteristics of the materials tested and/or characteristics of thewool or other objects that might be rubbed against the balloon. They might also notice thattwo charged balloons repel each other due to like charges.

How the Student Will Investigate

Students will first examine the materials they have chosen and think about which ones mightand might not stick to the balloon. They will then write their question, record their objectsto be tested and make their predictions. Once they have recorded these predictions, theywill rub their balloon with the piece of wool and then test each of the materials to see whathappens. In drawing their conclusions, they should consider how the materials behavedwhen they came in contact with the balloon and then consider why. Students testing similarmaterials might want to check their findings with those of their classmates, to verify their data (as a scientist would do).

Interdisciplinary Links and Extensions

Science

Other possible investigations might be comparing other materials (fabrics) byrubbing them on the balloon to see if they “charge” the balloon as strongly as the wool does.This could be set up as a “fair test,” where the control would be to test the same objectson similarly-sized balloons rubbed with different fabrics. Students could try other materialsbesides the ones included in this investigation to see what happens, or use a comb insteadof a balloon. Some interesting ideas might include the following: two (negatively) chargedballoons will repel each other; the energy field of a well-charged resin rod or comb heldclose, but not touching, a very slow stream of water (running out of a tap) pushes the streamof water (water does not have a charge but is a balance of positive and negative) or bendsit (negative comb repels negative charges in water and attracts positive charges in water);some, but not other, materials can de-charge the balloon. These can also be great science-fairdemonstrations.

Mathematics — Estimating and Predicting:

Students can time how long each object sticks to (is attracted to) the balloon. Which ones hold their attractions the longest? Propose an explanation for why an object will stick to the balloon for the longest amount of time. Students can also count how many objects will stick to the balloon at one time. What is the most of an item they can make stick?

History of Science

Research who discovered static electricity and how it affected scientific thought. Share what was learned with the class.

Teaching Tips and Guiding Questions

Try to teach about static electricity during a time of year when the weather is dry so that static can be generated. Electrons need dry air in which to build up and jump. (That is why there is more static cling in dryer clothes on a dry day than a humid day.) Combing hair and pulling off sweaters can also produce a spark and snap! The balloon picks up electrons (negative charges) when rubbed and becomes negatively charged. The negative charge on the balloon attracts the positive charges on objects, which are neutral (having both negative and positive charges on them).

Once the students are busily testing their predictions, some guiding questions to ask mightbe:

How does rubbing charge the balloon? Does more, or faster rubbing make more charge? Can you make a super attractor?

Can you make the objects dance?

Are the objects easy to pull off the balloon once they are on there? Which materials stick well to the balloon? Which materials do not? Can you see a pattern as to why?

What happens if you hold the balloon farther away from the object?

Compare the materials that work and do not work. How are they different? How are they alike?

Why do you think these objects stick?

How is the charged balloon like a magnet?

Concepts to be Assessed

(Unifying concepts (big ideas) and science concepts to be assessed using the Science Exemplars Rubric under the criterion: Science Concepts and Related Content.)

Physical Science — Transfer and Transformation of Energy:Students understand that all bodies are capable of producing electrical charges; that conductors allow electrons to move, but insulators do not allow electrons to move easily; and that static electricity is the result of build up or deficiency of electrons. Students observe that like charges repel and unlike charges attract (cause and effect) and that there are positive and negative charges.

Physical Science — Motion and Forces:Students observe that material that has beenelectrically charged pulls on all other materials and may either push or pull other charged materials.

Mathematics:Students make precise measurements and diagrams. Students collect, organize and analyze data appropriately.

Other Science Standards and Concepts Addressed

Scientific Theory:Students use evidence to construct an explanation based on their observations and the concepts that have been learned.

Physical Science — Transfer and Transformation of Energy; and Motion and Forces: Students observe and record the effects of static charge, attraction/repulsion, and what creates this charge and attraction.

Suggested Materials

Start with balloons, pieces of wool and items to test such as small pieces of tinfoil, paper, string, cotton, fabric, plastic, salt, puffed rice, flour, paper clips and packing peanuts. Then, you can let students select other items in the classroom to test. (A little water is handy to decharge objects.)

Possible Solutions

There are a variety of solutions to the testable question/hypothesis used. Many differentobjects will stick to the balloon after it has been “charged” by the wool. Most metal-likeobjects will not stick, however, and it is hoped that the students will discover this while testingand begin to wonder why. Conclusions that the students draw should include their ideasabout what static electricity is. It is not necessary for them to have a textbook definition ofwhat it is, but some key words and ideas like attraction and charge should be a part of theirexplanation. They might also speak of “jumping” electrons.

This student did not complete the investigation according to the directions given. There is no testable question stated to be investigated and only one prediction and test were completed.Without relevant data, this student was unable to make an informed conclusion. The student did use the word “repel” as it related to what was investigated, but there is no connection to static electricity or the question originally posed. This student does not yet demonstrateunderstanding of the inquiry or data-gathering processes.

This student framed the testable question (using an attempt at “if ... then ...”) and investigated a number of objects. The predictions given were based on some understanding of the concept. This student also has some understanding of the inquiry process and uses the relevant skills but is unable to make an informed conclusion based on the results recorded. The conclusion given relates more to a comparison made about conductors of static electricity (“hair is better than wool”) than to what they observed during this particular investigation (testing tinfoil, cotton, etc.). However, this comparison is somewhat valid and interesting and could be further explored to help the student make some connections.

This student framed the testable question (using an attempt at “if ... then ...”) and investigated a number of objects. There is a good basic understanding of the physical science concepts. An interesting comparison of static electricity to magnetism and correct use of the term “attracted” are included. The graphic representation is well labeled and demonstrates scientific reasoning and thinking skills. The student also extended the investigation from wool to hair and collected appropriate data.

This student’s investigation was clear and well conducted to answer the question posed. All parts were included and results recorded accurately, evidence of the scientific method applied well. The conclusion includes some of the important ideas about static electricity. Again, a comparison was made to magnetism. This student also made an important, more specific observation about the objects only sticking to the part of the balloon that was charged. The graphic representation is very clear; all columns are labeled.

Several years ago, Connie Witt tried to implement a standards-based curriculum and grading system into her school district, Los Alamos. At that time, she received little feedback or enthusiasm from her colleagues. Nevertheless, she pushed on. Determined to turn things around, Connie purchased Exemplars with her own money and began to apply basic standards-based skills...